Introduction to Social research
Earl Babbie has begun with the logical reasoning based assertions which are often used to justify ones stand in sociological context. He gives the example of malnutrition of black athletes and AIDS for gays to explain that the relation between the stated assertion and reasoning often defaults on logical parameters. He has explained that examples quoted above are merely a lopsided generalization of those assumptions which might be true for a very limited number of cases in reality (Babbie, 2001). For example, due to excessive Islamic extremism the Middle East and Asian countries are suspicious of general Muslims to be supporters of such terrorism , hence there is a flawed logical reasoning behind association between a specific religion (Islam) to a specific antisocial act of extremism (terrorism).
So, the notion of logical reasoning is explained to be extremely crucial in terms of defining the true rationale of conducting sociological assertions. Babbie has also put a stress over the wrong usage of divine will and God’s control as a possible explanation behind higher rate of AIDS incidents in case of Gays. He quotes Don Boys to explain that God cannot be selectively planning to eliminate only gays amongst homosexuals and simultaneously ignore lesbians as they were proven to have least AIDS cases. The given example is merely stated to demarcate the absence of logical reasoning based assertions in case when sociological references are diversified into divine will oriented reasons.
Babbie also puts the notion of sociological concepts which are often used in grouping individuals like infants, adults, males, females, Ethiopians, etc. For example, two variables of ‘infants’ and ‘employed’ cannot link together to develop a sociological logic of concepts. However, ‘educated’ or ‘graduated’ can be logically mixed with ‘employed’ status to define the unemployment rates in the society (Babbie, 2001). Hence, the logical interfaces between the variables in the social concepts define the exact sociological research basis. These concepts define variables which interlink to define a defined sociological paradigm. The sociological paradigms are mere derivatives of logical reasoning implies over social concepts. Babbie gave the examples of varying interdisciplinary paradigms leading to different perceptions of biceps.
The example of biceps is simply given to explicate the notion that a specific discipline of knowledge can intermingle into any zone of sociological context and it can completely change the interpretation of any social phenomenon (Babbie, 2001). For example, Afro-Americans and Haitians in America are subjected to prejudicial social perceptions regarding them being the root cause for anti-social activities. However, the same communities (Blacks and Haitians) are subjected to lacunas in policies which lead to severe economic turmoil and employment crisis scenario for them.
It can be seen in the example quoted above that the two aspects are overlooked to be mutually related just because social perception of prejudice dominates the actual logic behind the cause (Dash, 2005). Finally, he explains how the synchronized impact f various social paradigms forming an integrated system which has most logical connection to social structure (Dash, 2005). Similarly, a contradictory set of paradigms can relate to social conflict situation. Hence, operating together these paradigms tend to create the fundamental about how the social life functions. For example, those who have varying opinions regarding neglected communities differ from others who are against the lopsided rights allocations to these specific communities in America.
Therefore, it can be concluded from Babbie’s work that any context in sociological research should be rather backed up with concepts and paradigms developed on the basis of scientifically ratified logics and not on specific opinions or prejudiced views.
References
Babbie, E. (2001). An Idea whose time has come. Readings in Sociology. Pearson custom publishing: 12-20. Print.
Dash, N.K. (2005). Selection of the Research Paradigm and Methodology. Retrieved from http://www.celt.mmu.ac.uk/researchmethods/Modules/Selection_of_methodology/
